1910.134(i)(4)(i): Breathing Air Cylinder Testing
Employers must make sure breathing air cylinders are tested and maintained as prescribed in the Department of Transportation Shipping Container Specification Regulations (49 CFR part 180).
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(i)(4)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $30,350 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (7), IL (6), ME (4).
- Related part: 1910.134(i) Breathing air quality and use (149 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(i)(4)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(i) Cylinders are tested and maintained as prescribed in the Shipping Container Specification Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR part 180); 18 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NJ (7), IL (6), ME (4), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BOROUGH OF OLD TAPPAN | OLD TAPPAN, NJ | $7,000 |
| EMERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT | EMERSON, NJ | $6,300 |
| PITMAN FIRE CO. NO.1 | PITMAN, NJ | $5,000 |
| HIGHLAND CHEMICAL ENGINE COMPANY | PITMAN, NJ | $5,000 |
| MEDFORD LAKES FIRE DEPARTMENT | MEDFORD LAKES, NJ | $2,750 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(i)(4)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(i)(4)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(i) Breathing air quality and use 149 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4) 43 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1) 34 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5) 34 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii) 31 citations
- 1910.134(i)(7) 30 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5)(iv) 24 citations
- 1910.134(i)(8) 7 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4)(ii) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5)(i) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(A) 2 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(i)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What rules cover breathing air cylinder testing?
The Department of Transportation Shipping Container Specification Regulations, 49 CFR part 180.
Does this include maintenance?
Yes. Cylinders must be tested and maintained as prescribed.
Which cylinders does this apply to?
Cylinders used for breathing air under the respiratory protection standard.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.134 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-22
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.